What are we objectivists missing?


I have been following (with much amusement) various threads about cables and tweaks where some claim "game changing improvements" and other claim "no difference".  My take is that if you can hear a difference, there must be some difference.  If a device or cable or whatever measures exactly the same it should sound exactly the same.  So what are your opinions on what those differences might be and what are we NOT measuring that would define those differences?

jtucker

The way I see it is if two cables measure the same but sound different, then it seems like you are not measuring the right things.

And as usual, jjss49 hits the old nail right on the head.  

Totally agree with we do not know what or how to measure sound differences in certain cases. 

I remember when CD players first came out and most everyone said they'll all sound the same. Yet when I audition several, it was clear most sounded different and a few sounded much better then others. I was told BS - you can't tell the difference. But I could. The issue was, no one had the understanding of what to measure. When they finally did (Jitter, etc.) then those disbelievers changed their tune. Oh you can measure it? Then it must be real now and I can hear it too. 

My point, some of us can hear the difference between speaker wires, cables, fues, etc. some can't. I can tell the difference between zip cord and my Audience speaker wire. I cannot tell the different between power cables, but I have upgraded them from the thin, free, black ones. You can call me names for not hearing the difference and still buying them, but one day we'll be able to measure why they and other tweeks sound different and then all these na-sayers will jump on the bandwagon also. 

Oh, it can be measured? Then it must be real now, wasn't real before..."

 

 

Erik,

"The problem I have with this argument is that it believes our existing, common measurements are all that could tell us anything about sound. I do not believe this to be true, at all. Most of the measurements audiophiles are familiar with were developed 30 years ago or more. Yes, we can measure them with more precision, but their definitions haven’t changed."

Yes! This is my point exactly.  I do not necessarily believe that the "common measurements"  are all encompassing.  What do you all suppose we may be missing that could explain differences?  That is my question...

 

As far as cables go, I’ve never seen a graph of inductance, capacitance, impedance and the resulting phase shift and amplitude for a complete range of frequencies, input voltages and current draw.  So, as a consumer, how do I objectively compare cables?  

The next person that can show by measurements how a power cord can affect the sound of an amp can qualify for the Nobel Prize in Physics. Until then the cheap stuff is good enough for me!